Seam ripper



Dec. 2, 1952 A. R. RALSTON 2,619,722

' SEAM RIPPER Filed July 13, 1950 INVENTOR Apr/9w? F. fi/ILS ro/v 3, ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEAM RIPPER.

Arthur R. Ralston, Kansas City, Mo.

7 Application July 13, 1950, Serial No. 173,545

3 Claims. (01. 30-2s9) This invention relates to a seam ripper, and has for one of its objects the production of a simple and eflicient seam ripper which may be used also as a button remover and a button-hole cutter.

An important object of the invention is the removable bead or tube which is slidably connected to the blade end may be removed to allow the blade to lie fiat upon the fabric at the will of the operator.

A further object of the invention is the produotion of a cutting blade having one guiding tube formed integral with the blade and another guiding tube detachably and frictionally secured within the first mentioned tube and extending longitudinally of the blade upon the opposite side thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of the seam ripper;

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the blade of the ripper, showing the removable tube removed or detached from the blade;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the blade illustrating the manner in which it is used while ripping a seam;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the blade illustrating its use as a button rem-over;

Figure 5 is a view illustrating the manner of cutting a buttonhole by use of the ripper;

Figure 6. is an enlarged end elevational view of the blade;

Figure '7 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale illustrating a modified form, wherein a wedge-shaped removable tube fits into a wedgeshaped channel to facilitate a firm frictional grip.

By referring to the drawing in detail it will be seen that l designates the blade of the tool or ripper which preferably is rectangular in shape having a shank II. The shank H is adapted to fit within a suitable handle l2, although if desired the shank I I may be used as a handle to facilitate the use or operation of the blade I0. The blade I0 is preferably formed of narrow gauge metal having sharpened edges l3 to facilitate cutting. It of course is desirable to form the blade of thin material to facilitate ripping and cutting without injury to the material upon which it is used.

The blade I0 is provided with an integral tubuar open ended longitudinally extending guidin bead [4 which is pressed laterally from the blade to define a longitudinally extending channel as at 15. The tube [4 is preferably substantially circular in cross section, as shown in detail in Figure 6. An elongated insertable and removable guidin; tube or bead [6, which is also substantially circular in cross section, is removably secured to the blade It. The tube or bead I6 is provided with longitudinal flared resilient flanges l1 spaced from each other and which sldably and frictionaly engage the inner face of the channel l5 of the tube 14. The flanges I! are spaced and the tube i6 and flanges I! have a spring expansion action against the inner face of the tube I 4 to firmly hold the tube It in a set and frictionally locked position within the tube hi. It is obvious from the drawing, that the tube It is placed in the tube 14 and channel I5 thereof by sliding the tube 16 into one end of the channel I 5 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2.

If desired, the blade I0 shown in Figure 7, may be provided with a longitudinal channel [5 similar to the channel l5, shown in Figure 2, the channel [5 which is tapered o-r Wedge-shaped the direction of its length to receive the bead or tube (which is similar to the tube It with the exception that the tube It is tapered or wedgeshaped the direction of its length. This wedgeshaped formation will permit the tube [6* to be wedged into the channel [5 to lock the tube in position.

It should be noted that the device may be used as shown in Figure 3, as a seam ripper, in which event the beads or tubes l4 and I6 constitute guides to hold the fabric apart While the seam is being ripped. In removing a button the beads or tubes will constitute a means for holding the blade [0 at an angle to cut the securing thread of a button. However, by removing the bead Hi, the blade It may lie flat upon the fabric when desired, especially in close or tight fitting work. The blade I0 is also adapted for use in cutting button-holes, as shown in Figure 5, when desired. The beads l4 and I6 are preferably offset relative to the longitudinal central axis of the blade to define one relatively wide cutting portion and a second relatively narrow cutting portion, the narrow portion preferably being used for cutting seams and the wide portion being used for removing buttons.

It should be understood that certain detail changes in the mechanical construction may be employed with-out departing from the spirit of the invention, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a blade of substantially rectangular shape having at least one longitudinal cutting edge, said blade having a longitudinally extending tubular bead formed integrally therewith and protruding laterally from one side of said blade, said bead bein open at the ends and disposed intermediate the longitudinal edges of said blade whereby to define a channel, and a longitudinally extending member insertable in and removable from said channel, said member being in the form of a bead, said removable member having spaced longitudinally extending yieldable flanges projecting outwardly and divergently relative to each other, from one side of said removable member, said flanges fitting snugly in said channel and frictionally engaging the inner face of said first mentioned bead when inserted in said channel,

invention, what is whereby said member protrudes laterally from said blade upon the side opposite said one side.

2. The structure specified in claim 1, including handle means removably connected to said blade.

3. The structure specified in claim 2, wherein said first mentioned bead is tapered the direction of its length.

ARTHUR R. RALSTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 525,737 Foster Sept. 11, 1894 1,135,008 Fuller Apr. 13, 1915 1,390,872 Blair Sept. 13, 1921 2,178,267 Potstada Oct. 31, 1939 

